Article Summary:

From Morning Messages to Digital Messages: Moving from the tried and true to the new

Labbo, L. D. (2005). From morning message to digital morning message:
moving from the tried and true to the new. The Reading Teacher. 58. 8. pp.782-785.

Technology, especially computers, will continue to expand its influence into many aspects of our children’s lives as they grow. Teaching children to be confident and competent with computers is our responsibility as teachers; we must make sure this influence is a well-meaning and profound experience. Teachers can involve students with daily exercises on computers. An example would be beginning each day with a different student typing a “Good Morning World” message combined with pictures taken by the students on the teacher’s digital camera to then print and display in the classroom (Kawakami-Arakaki, Oshiro, & Farran, 1989). Extra copies could be made for the students to take home, and this could serve as a useful home-to-school connecting activity. Another example would be for the teacher to guide the students through writing a song together using simple digital audio software and then giving copies to the students to take home on compact discs. There are a myriad of exercises for teaching technological skills; we as teachers should get our students interested in the technology that is changing our world. The students must learn computers are helpful and capable of making life easier, that computers are a tool to be used creatively and intelligently. Teachers can incorporate easy software such as Kid Pix to create these morning messages. Labbo also points out how teachers can use this software and integrate the computer activities with literacy and other subject areas.

My Thoughts:

Labbo gave exceptional information on integrating technology in the classroom through morning messages. She also points out the importance of teachers and students being comfortable with the computer software they use in the classroom. I believe this is the most importance aspect for being technological successful in the classroom. The teachers and students have to feel successful in what they are doing to continue using computers as a learning tool. I'm personally a very hands on person. I have to use my hands to learn and manipulate whatever I am learning. I have to work with the computer, the software, and understand the features of the software program before I can integrate the program in the classroom. If the program is hard or complicated to use; I will probably not use it in my classroom. This article made me aware of the importance of taking this computer class, and also the importance of staying abreast of the changing world of technology, we have to continue to be life long learners to be effective teachers in the classroom.

Need Resources For Your Classroom??

Hi Everyone,

I would like to share with you my Wonderful Christmas Blessing that I received in December of 2007, well it actually started in spring of 2004. I had just started working in my class in January, and my resources for my classroom was slim to none; therefore, when I came across the website I said to myself, I probably won't ever heard from anyone but I did. Well, to make a long story short, I registered at the website www.adoptaclassroom.com . While I was in St. Dominics hospital during the month of December because of heart problems, I was very bored and got on my laptop to check my e-mails, and there the letter was!! I had been adopted by a fifth grade class from California. The students and teacher raised the money that they donated to my classroom which was $300.00 to put the icing on the cake OfficeMax match the amount and I received another $300.00 in January of 2008. My students and I have had a wonderful time learning with the new manipulatives.

Also when you go to educational websites, don't forget to enter their sweepstakes because you just might win as I did in October of 2004 at www.scholastic.com . I was browsing Scholastic website and came across their New Teachers "Ready To Go" Sweepstakes just two days before the sweepstake was closing. I enter and forgot all about the sweepstake. Well, I started getting all these packages from Scholastic, and I told my assistant, I don't know why I am receiving all this stuff because I haven't order it. I call Scholastic to see why, the person on the phone couldn't tell me why. I understand now why Dr. Roberts told us to be sure me check our e-mail daily because I had received the letter from Scholastic but it was still waiting on me in my mailbox. So be sure to check your emails daily, you might get a surprise like me! Please read my letter below from Scholastic also check out educational websites; they can be a Blessing.

Dear New Teacher,

Congratulations! You are one of fifty very lucky new teachers to win Scholastic’s “New Teachers’ Ready-to-Go Classroom Sweepstakes”!
To give you a sense of just how lucky you are, you’ll be receiving a great collection of 100 books, classroom reference books, professional books, CD-ROMs, videos, classroom decorations, stickers, bookmarks and pencils. You’ll be receiving these materials in the next several weeks. Prizes will be shipped to the mailing address you provided when you entered the contest. In the meanwhile, if you have any questions, please call me at our toll-free number (888)307-1555, ext. 4625.
You’ve taken on the hardest and most important job in the world. We hope your new supplies make it just a little bit easier.
On behalf of Scholastic, thank you for all you’re doing and have a wonderful first year!
Sincerely,
Betsy Howie Scholastic Inc

Super Websites for Educators, Parents, and Caregivers

Hi Everyone,
I just located this super website for Middle School Teachers. I located in EDTECh List server. The website is http://cie.kean.edu/~njcms/educationalhotlinks/Home.html
I am including some more educational site also:
http://www.starfall.com/
http://www.suelebeau.com/primary.htm
http://themathworksheetsite.com/
http://www.kimskorner4teachertalk.com/
http://www.k111.k12.il.us/lafayette/fourblocks/graphic_organizers.htm
http://phonicsworld.com/
http://www.kn.pacbell.com/wired/fil/pages/listkindersu.html
http://www.myffgames.com/
http://www.childcareland.com/
http://www.teacherfilebox.com/index.aspx?WT.mc_id=tfb_from_em
http://teachers.cr.k12.de.us/~galgano/dibel2.htm
http://www.standardsmadeeasy.com/
I hope you all enjoy these websites. Some are free materials and some you have to pay for membership. The best pay is http://www.standardsmadeeasy.com/ It goes from prek to twelve grade with a section for staff development for teachers.